School appeals against directive to enrol child from criminal family

A Secondary school has today appealed against a directive by a Department of Education committee requiring it to enrol a child who is a member of a criminal family.

In its action, the school says it refused admission based on Garda advice.

Today, Mr Justice Michael Peart ruled that nothing can appear in the media that would identify the student, a girl, and that the family cannot be named.

In judicial review proceedings the school is seeking an order quashing the decision an order of the secretary general of the Department of Education and Science, on foot of the Section 29 Committee's recommendation, that the child be enrolled.

The Department's decision was made on April 16 last.

The court heard that the girl had sought to enrol in the school, however the school refused. That was appealed to the committee set up to hear the appeal.

The mother of the girl who is a notice party to the proceedings has opposed the action.